Carabelle, Florida Issue #16 1-15-2018
Carrabelle is a nice little town right on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. We planned to stay there 2 nights and then make the “jump” across the big water to continue our trip down the west coast of Florida.
We left the The Moorings Marina, headed out into the Gulf and ran into seas 3 times bigger than predicted. Captain Tim made the sane choice to return to the marina and wait for better weather.
2 weeks later...
We left the The Moorings Marina, headed out into the Gulf and ran into seas 3 times bigger than predicted. Captain Tim made the sane choice to return to the marina and wait for better weather.
2 weeks later...
We crossed the Gulf...our way.
We contacted a boat dealer who used to sell Ranger Tugs. He had a trailer made for Ranger Tugs and a driver who delivered boats up and down the coast. Done and done!
Hello Tarpon Springs!
Our boat delivery guy, Arthur, dropped us in the water at Anclote River City Park and we headed for the Greek fishing town of Tarpon Springs a few short miles away. We got a slip at the Tarpon City Marina for 3 days. The Marina is right downtown so we had the chance to walk the boardwalk, eat Greek food and pastries.
It felt really good to be on the move again.
It felt really good to be on the move again.
Traveling with a buddy is a good idea.
We traveled with our Buddy Boat friends, Tim and Ramie, to Tarpon Springs. They have a Ranger 29 and trailered it the day before we trailered our boat.
We were together for the 2 weeks we spent in Carabelle which made the time go by a little faster for everyone. We did puzzles, played pool and learned how to play Mexican Train during those 2 weeks. And ate a lot of meals together in the Captains Lounge.
We celebrated Christmas with a potluck dinner at a neighboring marina. They host this dinner every year for anyone stuck in Carabelle due to weather, people who live on their boat and anyone who would like to be included. We brought pies from the grocery store which made us very popular. Good people, good food, and a Christmas Day we will remember.
We all rejoiced when we got to Tarpon Springs. First thing we did is go downtown for Greek food. ..and adult beverages may have been consumed...
We were together for the 2 weeks we spent in Carabelle which made the time go by a little faster for everyone. We did puzzles, played pool and learned how to play Mexican Train during those 2 weeks. And ate a lot of meals together in the Captains Lounge.
We celebrated Christmas with a potluck dinner at a neighboring marina. They host this dinner every year for anyone stuck in Carabelle due to weather, people who live on their boat and anyone who would like to be included. We brought pies from the grocery store which made us very popular. Good people, good food, and a Christmas Day we will remember.
We all rejoiced when we got to Tarpon Springs. First thing we did is go downtown for Greek food. ..and adult beverages may have been consumed...
Up close and personal with manatees
The day after we arrived at Tarpon Springs the weather finally turned "Florida". It was warm and sunny. It felt great to shed coats and hats. Florida is supposed to be warm, not 40 degrees. the locals kept telling us this cold snap was really unusual...lucky us.
Our friends invited us to join them on their dinghy to cruise down the river to the local park and see if we could see the manatees that live there.
We did see manatees but I wasn’t fast enough with the camera to get a photo. They are big. They have noses like cows. The only thing that you can see at first is their nose when they come up for air. Then they do a slow dive and flip their tail. It was a hoot. If you want to see what they actually look like I suggest you Google "manatees".
I'm so glad we enjoyed the day doing something fun because that was our last sunny day...back to winter coats and hats.
Our friends invited us to join them on their dinghy to cruise down the river to the local park and see if we could see the manatees that live there.
We did see manatees but I wasn’t fast enough with the camera to get a photo. They are big. They have noses like cows. The only thing that you can see at first is their nose when they come up for air. Then they do a slow dive and flip their tail. It was a hoot. If you want to see what they actually look like I suggest you Google "manatees".
I'm so glad we enjoyed the day doing something fun because that was our last sunny day...back to winter coats and hats.
The next day...
You can't see it but I have 4 layers of clothes on under that coat. And a hat. And a scarf.
This is at Clearwater Beach. White sand. No people.
But it's still warmer than South Dakota, right?????
This is at Clearwater Beach. White sand. No people.
But it's still warmer than South Dakota, right?????